Dear Parents and Carers

‘Bless more and curse less!’

Ronald Rolheiser, ’10 Commandments for Mature Living’

In a sense, Rolheiser’s commandment here touches upon one of his earlier reflections, concerning gratitude. Specifically, in this example, he writes about the importance of maturity reflecting an ability to bless others, especially those who come after us, in their youth, their energies, their vitality – and not being threatened by other’s gifts. Rolheiser writes, ‘We are mature when we define ourselves by what we are for rather than by what we are against’. Our age encourages a certain type of cynicism and if we always stay in that space, it can breakdown our relationships, hurt others, and ultimately distant us from all that is good. He writes, “When we act petty, we get to feel petty. When we act like God, we get to feel like God – and God is never depressed.”

Confirmation

Last night we celebrated the first quarter of our Year 6 students making their Confirmation. We are celebrating the Sacrament with our parish school partner, Holy Trinity at Curtin. Monsignor John Woods led the Sacrament and did so beautifully. In the eyes of the Church, this is the students’ Pentecost, and no less significant than when the Holy Spirit first visited the disciples, as the Scripture accounts describe the experience. We wish all of our students well who are receiving the Sacraments this week: Archie, Marcus, Pia, Xavier, Finley, Emily Ba and Santina. Next week we have two more Confirmation Masses. My thanks to Fr John and our Parish Secretary for their great support; our Year 6 teachers: Paul Jenkins, Melissa Neit, Emma D’Ambrosio and Katie Birch; and my thanks too, to our REC, Stephanie Burns, for her great support of the students and teachers. To all our parents I also extend our thanks, as you are the children’s first educators in faith and it is on your shoulders we stand. Thank you.

Tournament of the minds

Last week, our children from Grades 3-6 who participated in Tournament of Minds filmed their solution and creative performance. TOM provides the students with a great problem conundrum, and the opportunity to present a solution creatively and with the use of technology. Katie Birch has done an excellent job in supporting the children in their work and in their growth as problem solvers. The Tournament also provides the children with a great opportunity to collaborate together: it is a genuine team event.

https://www.tom.edu.au/

Maths Olympiad

Today, our children in Years 5 and 6, as well as some children in Year 4 are sitting the final Maths Olympiad for 2020. The Maths Olympiad has been running for many years and is a voluntary competition for schools. The students compete against themselves and the aim is to teach reasoning skills in mathematics.

https://www.apsmo.edu.au/main/apsmo_home_cm.php

I wish all our students the best and my thanks to Sean Rutledge for coordinating the competition and to all teachers for their support.

Science Day

This Friday, we are having our Science Day, coordinated by Paul Jenkins. Paul has written in previous newsletters about the day and it will be a great day for the children. It is being led by our Year 6 students, which provides them with an excellent leadership opportunity, and all children are invited to come dressed as a scientist. It promises to be a great day. My thanks to Paul for coordinating the day.

Have a wonderful day with your children.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns